T20 World Cup 2021, Match 40: New Zealand vs Afghanistan, Stats Preview: Player records and approaching milestones

Stakes will be incredibly high when New Zealand and Afghanistan lock horns in their respective last league-stage game of the T20 World Cup 2021. The action takes place at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sunday (November 7). Both teams are in the semi-final race and must give their all to emerge victorious.

Having won three of their four games so far, the Kiwi side is second in the points table and a simple victory would be enough for them to earn a place in the next stage. On the other hand, Afghanistan need to win this contest by a handsome margin to go past India in terms of net run rate. Speaking of the Indian team, their fate would also rely on this clash.

If New Zealand win here, India will also get knocked out of the semi-final race alongside Afghanistan. Hence, fans and experts would be busy with their calculators as the game progresses. Coming off three consecutive wins, the Kiwis might take the field as favorites. However, writing off the Afghan side won’t be wise for them.

Meanwhile, let’s look at important stats and numbers ahead of the 40th game of the T20 World Cup 2021:

Head to head record: These two teams have never met in T20Is before.

1 – Daryl Mitchell needs one big hit to complete 100 sixes in T20 cricket.

62 – Daryl Mitchell also needs 62 runs to accomplish 2,500 runs in T20 cricket.

7 – Devon Conway needs 7 boundaries to complete 400 boundaries in T20 cricket.

1 – Rashid Khan needs just one scalp to become the fourth bowler to complete 400 T20 wickets.

14 – Hazratullah Zazai needs 14 runs to complete 2000 runs in T20 cricket.

1374 – Glenn Phillips has scored 1374 runs this year, third-most by any player in 2021.

30 – Tim Seifert needs 30 runs to complete 2,500 runs in T20 cricket.

1 – Mitchell Santner can complete 50 sixes in T20 cricket. He needs one hit over the fence to get the milestone.

1 – Martin Guptill (23) needs one six to become New Zealand player with most sixes in T20 World Cups. He currently shares the record with Ross Taylor.

34 – Mohammad Shahzad needs 7 runs to complete 2000 T20I runs as wicketkeeper.

64 – Rashid Khan is the highest wicket-taker in T20s this year, 64.

3 – Mohammad Nabi needs three hits over the fence to complete 250 sixes in T20 cricket.